9 December 2014
Probing the Fire Cause…
Fire investigators say they can’t rule out the possibility of arson in a blaze that destroyed an office building in Florence Sunday morning.
Siuslaw Valley Fire Marshall Sean Barrett said the initial indicators pointed to the fire starting in the area of the electrical boxes in the building that housed Emergence Treatment and the law offices of Ron Gerber and Scott Bailey.
Barrett said fire investigators with the Oregon State Fire Marshall and State Police were on the scene with him yesterday, sifting through the rubble.
The early morning Sunday fire started in the Emergence Treatment portion of the building, then spread into the attic from where it spread to the rest of the building.
Firefighters were able to protect many of the contents in the law office, and some of the items belonging to Emergence were salvageable as well.
Building Owner Gets Back to Work
The owner of the building heavily damaged by fire Sunday had praise for the firefighters who fought and controlled the blaze.
Ron Gerber – “I thought it was pretty amazing. You know the first thing they had to do was save the building next door to us because ours was pretty fully involved. And, they put the fire out and they were at least able to save our records and we think our hard drives and things on our end of the building.”
Ron Gerber said the building, insured for $391-thousand, appears to be a total loss, but he says he plans on rebuilding. His law office was already reopened by yesterday afternoon.
Ron Gerber – “We’ve got a little tiny off… we got a milk crate set up here at home and an office (chuckle); yeah, we’re starting to function.”
Gerber said it appears that most, if not all, of their client files survived.
More Tsunami Debris Could Be Coming
Scientists on the Oregon Coast are preparing for another possible wave of debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Researchers at the Oregon State Hatfield Marine Science Center were taken aback last year when some 30 fishing vessels from Japan washed ashore. Many of them were covered with living organisms indigenous to Asia and could possible threaten native species here.
John Chapman is a researcher the center, he says blue mussels have been found on every boat that has washed ashore; and as many as 200 different species have been documented.
Just last week, a storage tote covered with mussels washed up at Seal Rock, a sign that debris will begin showing up again.
Winter and spring wind patterns and ocean currents direct the Japanese debris towards the Oregon and Washington coastlines; while summer and fall patterns keep it away.
Light Up a Life
Every year, volunteers with Peace Harbor Hospice organize a tree-lighting ceremony to remember loved ones who have passed away; and commemorate those still with us. This year’s Light Up a Life ceremony, Saturday afternoon from two to 3:30 at the Florence Events Center, will also feature harp music.
In addition to remembering loved ones, the event is also a fund raiser. Families and friends are invited to sponsor decorations for the tree. All donations are tax deductible and remain in Florence to benefit Hospice.
Fuel Prices Reaching Four Year Low
The average cash price for a gallon of regular gas in Florence held steady this week at $2.88… while the statewide average fell by eight cents. It’s still a nickel higher than the local average.
Triple-A also reports the nationwide average price for regular fell by 11 cents and is now at $2.65 a gallon.
Continued falls in wholesale prices are the cause of declining rates that are at their lowest in four years. Analysts with Triple A estimate nationwide prices could fall below $2.50 by Christmas.
